University Chapel Historic Structures Report
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UNIVERSITY CHAPEL HISTORIC STRUCTURES REPORT FINAL REPORT 24 JANUARY 2008 Prepared by: QUINN EVANS|ARCHITECTS 1214 Twenty-eighth Street, NW Washington, DC Prepared for: Facilities Management University of Virginia UNIVERSITY CHAPEL HISTORIC STRUCTURES REPORT TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Numbers Title EXECUTIVE SUMMARY PART 1: DEVELOPMENTAL HISTORY & CURRENT CONDITIONS 1.1 – 1.3 CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION Report Purpose Project Team Research Techniques / Investigation Methodology Historic Status of Building Related Investigations 2.1 – 2.19 CHAPTER 2: A BRIEF HISTORY Designs for the Chapel Architect: Charles E. Cassell Original Construction: 1884-1890 The Organ and Organ Chamber Building Alterations After 1890 Chronology of Memorial Windows Chronology of Memorial Plaques Historic Use of the Chapel List of Chaplains 2.20 – 2.31 Figures 2.1 – 2.21 3.1 – 3.18 CHAPTER 3: SIGNIFICANCE & FEATURES Significance of the Property Period of Significance Applicable University, Local, and State Preservation Regulations Significant Site and Building Features Absent or Obscured Items from the Period of University of Virginia TOC - 1 24 January 2008 UNIVERSITY CHAPEL HISTORIC STRUCTURES REPORT TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Numbers Title Significance Intrusions 3.19 – 3.76 Figures 3.1 – 3.116 4.1 – 4.11 CHAPTER 4: DOCUMENTATION OF CURRENT CONDITIONS Significant Exterior and Interior Building Features Major building systems (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, Fire Protection) Structural analysis 4.12 – 4.24 Figures 4.1 – 4.26 5.1 – 5.5 CHAPTER 5: PRESERVATION TREATMENTS & ZONE DIAGRAMS Treatments and Guidelines Selecting an Appropriate Treatment Treatment: Preservation Treatment Zones 5.6 – 5.8 Figures 5.1 – 5.3 PART 2: REHABILITATION DESIGN & TREATMENTS 6.1 – 6.21 CHAPTER 6: REHABILITATION PROGRAM Purpose Building Use Program Architectural Criteria Mechanical, Electrical and Fire Protection Recommendations Structural Recommendations Sustainable Design Concepts Preservation Treatments by Material or Feature 6.22-6.26 Figure 6.1 – 6.5 University of Virginia TOC - 2 24 January 2008 UNIVERSITY CHAPEL HISTORIC STRUCTURES REPORT TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Numbers Title 7.1 – 7.9 CHAPTER 7: CONCEPTUAL PROJECT DESCRIPTION Purpose Short Term Needs Long Term Preservation Construction Costs and Anticipated Costs Identification of phasing or multi-year implementation BIBLIOGRAPHY APPENDICES Appendix A: Measured Drawings Appendix B: Major Building Systems Report Appendix C: Structural Analysis Report Appendix D: National Register Nomination “University of Virginia Preservation Zone, or Historic District” Appendix E: Chronological List of Building by Charles Emmett Cassell, compiled by the Baltimore Architecture Foundation, 1993-2001. Appendix F: 1885-6 Building Specification for Christ Church, Georgetown, DC Appendix G: Contact Sheets of Rectified Photographs Appendix H: Organ Specifications Appendix I: “Our New Chapel” article from The Virginia University Magazine vol. 25, no. 2 (November 1885): 104-107. University of Virginia TOC - 3 24 January 2008 UNIVERSITY CHAPEL HISTORIC STRUCTURES REPORT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Scope and Purpose The overall intent is to prepare an illustrated technical report on the history, current conditions, and potential future utilization of this historic structure. This Historic Structures Report (HSR) involves a multi-disciplinary team: architecture and historic architecture, architectural history, structural, mechanical, electrical and fire protection engineering. This pre-design study documents the history and current conditions of the building. Considerable emphasis is placed on the identification of the conditions and guidelines for appropriate treatments and repairs of the significant architectural features. Building systems including structural, mechanical, electrical and plumbing are considered. A concept for future building systems and modifications is provided in Chapter 6. Detailed engineering design of new systems would occur in a future study. In addition, the HSR documents current and possible use changes to develop a proposed future rehabilitation plan. This concept report would be equivalent to a 10% concept design submission. The Chapel is a contributing building to the University of Virginia Preservation Zone or Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1970 (11-20-70, File # 104-0042). The Historic District is considered significant in the areas of “architecture” and “education” at the National level. A copy of this nomination is included in Appendix D. In 2006, the University of Virginia completed a Historic Preservation Framework Plan. The Plan establishes a preservation priority for all buildings and landscapes on campus, identifying each resource’s level of importance in terms of the University’s historic character . The preservation priority for the University Chapel is “Essential to University history and present character”.1 This is the second highest priority out of six categories, with the highest priority identified as “Fundamental 1 Historic Preservation Framework Plan, p. 35. 2 Historic Preservation Framework Plan, p. 35. University of Virginia Exec Sum - 1 24 January 2008 UNIVERSITY CHAPEL HISTORIC STRUCTURES REPORT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY to University history and present character, which applies exclusively to the Jefferson buildings and Grounds”2. Brief History The design by Baltimore architect Charles Emmett Cassell dates to 1883. Construction began in October of 1884 funded primarily be private donations and erection of the majority of the stone walls and roof was complete by November of 1885. Work continued at a slow pace until finally carpet and pews were installed by May of 1890. The Chapel was dedicated on June 8, 1890, but was still without and organ. The building was altered slightly to incorporate an organ chamber which was completed by February of 1891. There was a small fire in the basement of the building on February 10, 1910 which caused minor damage to a portion of the floor and some pews. Other than this event and taken into account normal repairs and very minor alterations over time, the chapel today is much as it was when first dedicated. Many of the stained glass windows are original to the structure, but there has also been a steady replacement of some windows, with the most recent in 1978. The memorial plaques and monuments have been installed at various times. Although the building has been continuously used as a place of worship and meetings over the years, it differs greatly from most other historic churches in that there are virtually no historic records or photographs that have come to light for this research project. There is no record of weddings, births or deaths. This may be due to the fact that there was no regular clergy (there was a system of rotating chaplains who were the full time pastors at Charlottesville churches) and during along period from about 1904 through the 1960’s the chapel was under the substantial control of the YMCA which was located across the street in the Madison Building. For whatever reasons, virtually no written or photographic records appear to exist for this structure. Significance of the Property The following is an excerpt from the “Master Plan for Historic Buildings on Campus” which was one of the preparatory documents for the “2006 University of Virginia Historic Preservation Framework Plan” published by the Office of the Architect in March 2006. University Chapel stands as the first structure built on the grounds exclusively for worship. Designed in the Gothic Revival style, the Chapel is a clear departure from the Jeffersonian inspired architecture found University of Virginia Exec Sum - 2 24 January 2008 UNIVERSITY CHAPEL HISTORIC STRUCTURES REPORT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY elsewhere on campus. The use of natural stone in its construction is in direct contrast to the red brick and white trim found on the academic buildings. Its placement northwest of the Rotunda, outside of the Lawn further distinguishes it from other University buildings. The University Chapel at the University of Virginia is significant because it throws into relief Jefferson’s views on religion in public education. In the creation of the Lawn, Jefferson had deliberately eschewed the typical inclusion of a chapel within the college campus, instead electing to place the Rotunda—the library—at the head of the Lawn grouping. The creation of the University Chapel was something of a correction, if not retaliation, of Jefferson. The chapel, sited to the northwest of the Rotunda outside the Lawn boundaries and balancing Brooks Hall, is in the Gothic Revival style, a deliberate departure from the Jeffersonian neoclassicism and an appeal to the style’s strong ecclesiastical associations. The popularity of the chapel as a wedding venue for students and alumni makes it a nostalgic site for many people.3 The National Register listing of the “University of Virginia Preservation Zone” or Historic District states the areas of significance as architecture and education. Regarding the Chapel, the National Register statement of significance states, “The University Chapel was completed in 1889 with funds from many private sources. The design of this picturesque building was inspired by the Gothic parish churches of England.”4 Period of Significance The Chapel has remained virtually intact and unaltered for the last 110 years. Most of what one sees is an original feature from the period of original construction, 1884-1890. Minor changes and additions, such as paint